5250-2

Purpose

This TOPPS directive provides for the reduction of speed limits in construction and maintenance work zones located on or adjacent to any street or highway in accordance with Department policy and Georgia law. Generally, temporary speed limit reductions in work zones should be implemented only for areas where workers are present, or where roadway or roadside conditions are of concern due to construction or maintenance activities.

To reduce the speed limit in any Temporary Traffic Control Zone and be in compliance with Georgia Law (Code Section 40-6-188) the following guidelines and procedures shall be followed.

Responsibility

The Department shall be responsible for determining the appropriate speed limit reduction for all roadways under its supervision. For a construction project let to contract, the contractor may request a reduction of the existing speed limit; however, the Department shall make the final determination.

The Project Engineer responsible for the construction project or the Maintenance Foreman/Superintendent responsible for the maintenance activity requiring the reduced speed zone will be responsible for reviewing and determining the appropriate reduction in the speed limit, its duration, and the length of the work zone. A temporary speed reduction zone will be established for a section of roadway according to an identified need. A speed reduction will not be put in place for the entire length of the project unless conditions warranting the speed reduction are present for the entire project length. When establishing a reduced speed zone, the minimum reduction of the posted speed limit typically should be be no less than 10 mph and the maximum reduction shall be no greater than 20 mph.

Documentation

The appropriate Project Engineer or the Worksite Traffic Control Supervisor for the Contractor shall record in a diary the date and time that each temporary speed reduction zone is installed and removed, the limits of the zone, and, if applicable, the traffic direction. Any reduction in the established speed limit shall have the written approval of the Project Engineer before the contractor will be allowed to reduce the speed limit. The Maintenance Foreman/Superintendent shall record the above information for Maintenance work zones.

Signing Requirements

To temporarily reduce the speed limit in any construction or maintenance area and be in compliance with O.C.G.A. 40-6-188, the following sequence of signs as detailed in attachment shall be required:
1. At a minimum of 600 feet in advance of the beginning of the reduced speed zone, a standard R2-5a (REDUCED SPEED AHEAD) sign shall be erected.

2. If the speed limit is to be reduced a total of 20 mph, a standard R2-1 (SPEED LIMIT XX) sign shall be erected at a minimum of 600 feet in advance of the beginning of the reduced speed zone in order to reduce the speed in 10 mph increments.

3. A standard R2-1 (SPEED LIMIT XX) sign shall be erected 600 feet past the previous sign erected in Step 1 or 2.

4. Intermediate R2-1 (SPEED LIMIT XX)signs shall be erected at intervals not to exceed one mile within the reduced speed zone.

5. A standard R2-1 (SPEED LIMIT XX) shall be erected 600 feet past the work zone. This sign shall post the normal speed limit for the roadway.

All existing speed limit signs shall be covered or removed while the temporary reduction in the speed limit is in effect. All signs shall be erected to comply with the minimum requirements of the MUTCD.

Document History:

• added to Manual of Guidance: 07/01/95
• added to TOPPS: 02/23/96
• revised to delete requirement for local government concurrence and change signing requirements: 07/22/97
• revised to add Worksite Traffic Control Supervisor: 07/02/04
• reviewed: 07/21/06
• reviewed: 02/25/08

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